How to use official tips to solve the stay and extension of the visa epidemic in the United States

At present, it is reported that the application service center in the United States will be closed until May, and when it will be resumed has become the focus of attention, but it is the most important issue. The problem of visa extension under the epidemic situation. Does the government have any corresponding measures? Immigration news, share it with everyone.

Length of stay and extension of US visa

Recently, some China citizens who came to the United States for a short time asked about the duration and extension of their visas in the United States. The Consulate General reminds China citizens in the consular district to pay attention to the stay period of their US visas and apply for extension in time if necessary:

1. According to USCIS, China citizens whose short-term stay in the United States is B 1, B2, etc., if they can't leave the United States as scheduled due to the COVID-19 epidemic, can apply for an extension of their visa stay online in advance according to the provisions of special humanitarian circumstances.

2. The US Citizenship and Immigration Service recommends that the application be made 45 days before the expiration of the stay period, and will be handled according to the specific circumstances. It is understood that USCIS does not reject the application for extension submitted by the applicant within 45 days.

3. After submitting the application, the parties will receive the submission certificate. It is suggested to pay attention to whether they have received the supplementary notice and submit the supplementary documents in time.

4. Regarding the extension of visa stay, the parties concerned can also consult their work units, schools for help, or local immigration lawyers.

Earlier, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service announced that it would temporarily close the application service centers and regional offices in the United States from March 18 to May 3, and make an extension decision depending on the development of the epidemic. During this period, the bureau continued to accept some non-contact business and provided a small amount of emergency services. If you need an urgent appointment, please contact the USCIS contact center at 1-800-375-5283.

According to USCIS news (website: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-coronavirus pneumonia-19), China citizens who stayed in the United States for a short time, such as B 1 B2, could not leave the United States as scheduled due to the COVID-19 epidemic. (Website: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations, apply for extending the visa stay online in advance as required (Website: https://www.uscis.gov/visit-united-states/extend-your-stay.

Three major differences between the validity period and stay period of American visas

1. When we get the American visa from the visa officer after many difficulties, there will be a time on the visa, and this time is the validity of the visa. The duration of the visa refers to the time allowed for the holder to stay after entering the country. It is different from the validity period of a visa. The validity period refers to the use period of the visa, and the stay period refers to the time you can stay after entering the country.

2. Generally, B 1/B2 makes multiple trips a year. This is only related to the type of visa you apply for, and has little to do with the estimated time to go to the United States and the time to stay in the United States when you fill out the form! When the B 1/B2 visa is approved by the U.S. Foreign Office, generally speaking, there are multiple round trips a year. This year refers to 365 days after the visa is approved, which is the validity period of the visa. During this validity period, you have the right to go to the United States at any time, or you can give up this right.

We flew to America, set foot on American soil and were inspected by American customs officials. They decided the time for you to go to the United States, and we didn't really enter the United States until we passed the customs. This date is called the stay period of American visa. For visa B 1/B2, the maximum stay time shall not exceed 183 days. In most cases, this restriction will be given, even if the applicant comes to the United States many times within the validity period of the same visa. In addition, in most cases, the stay period is later than the deadline of the visa validity period, which means that even if the applicant arrives in the United States on the last day of the visa deadline, he can get a stay period of 183 days in the United States. Officials of the US Department of Homeland Security will attach the I-94 entry and exit record card to the applicant's passport and return it when the applicant leaves the country.

In short, you can come to the United States at any time during the validity of your visa. After going through the customs in the United States, the customs will decide how long you can stay, and you can leave the United States at any time during your stay.